More hoaxes

If some boy called bum_tnoo7@hotmail.com adds u don’t accept it because its a hacker!! Tell everyone on your list because if somebody on your list adds them u get them on your list he’ll figure out Your ID computer address, so copy and paste this message to everyone even if u don’t care for them and fast cause if he hacks their email he hacks your mail too!!!

Next, and more seriously, there are a number of clever and nasty fraudsters on the online dating sites, especially (but not only) the free ones such as OKcupid, hotornot.com, and so on.

I thought the following advice, from a pretty clued-up woman who uses OKCupid, was very good.

You have to be careful on sites like this because theres just too many people out there willing to take advantage of honest people who maybe have come out of a bad relationship, possibly feeling a bit vulnerable and are looking to try and meet someone else who is genuine. Instead what do they get, some scammer offering them everything they are looking for and then they spend time reeling them in before asking for help getting over to meet them or some other made up story with the intention of getting they’re hands on your cash. It’s not fair cause there are actually people here that are honestly looking to meet people who get done by these a***holes and probably will give up trusting anyone again on sites like these.

I don’t think it can be described much better than the way eHarmony‘s founder puts it:

1. Always Use Your Best Judgment

eHarmony relies on the complete honesty of our users to create our compatibility profiles. Our system works hard to screen-out applicants who are not truthful. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to decide if someone is being truthful and honest. Don’t ignore your instincts and please don’t depend totally on eHarmony for evaluating a person you’ve been matched with. As with people you may meet under any circumstances, your judgment and instincts are necessary to protect yourself from deceitful individuals.

Here are some signs to consider: Watch out for someone who asks for money, uses vulgar language, asks inappropriate questions, or suggests sexual fantasies. Be careful of those who want to speed up the pace, tell you how to run your life, tell stories with inconsistencies, give vague answers to specific questions, urge you to compromise your principles, blame others for their troubles or are always speaking romantically. These are just a few of the signs you may want to think twice about before continuing.

2. Be Cautious Sharing Personal Information

We strongly encourage you to be cautious when sharing personal information that could reveal your identity. Our Open Communication system will let you communicate while remaining safely anonymous. Don’t give out your name, e-mail or phone number until you feel you have truly gotten to know someone. Once you’ve given out personal information, you cannot take it back! We encourage you to use our anonymous communication system until you are ready for the next step: Talking by phone.

Speaking by phone to the other person is also a critical requirement in getting to know each other better. Before you share phone numbers make sure you have discussed the need to respect each other’s privacy, and if either of you decide to end communication in the future, you will not use the phone number as a means to pursue an unwanted relationship. Most people prefer the man to offer his phone number to the woman and that she initiate any future phone calls, but you decide. Keep the first call to a short duration of 15 minutes or less.

In summary, take care of yourself. Don’t fall for a pretty picture. Treat these people with the suspicion you would give to any random stranger.